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Leaked emails reveal police's £5m earner
Benedict Moore-Bridger19.09.08
Police involved in Britain's biggest anti-terrorist investigation claimed up to £5 million in overtime, leaked emails show.
Thames Valley officers were told the shifts had "premium rates" and would suit those with a "raging credit card habit".
Night shifts, thought to be paid at £300 each, would give them time to "read a good book, take up botany or ornithology, study for your sergeant's exam [or] work out the compound interest on a rest day's pay".
The internal emails were sent to officers during Operation Overt, the inquiry into an alleged terrorist plot to blow up transatlantic airliners, and related to a huge search in woods near High Wycombe, Buckinghamshire.
In one, the author, Sergeant David Bald, wrote: "If you're available then please ping me an email - it'll pay off the credit card."
The force said their involvement in the operation cost £8 million, including £4.9 million in overtime.
Thames Valley Police, ranked as the third-worst performing police force in Britain by the Home Office, said the emails were "in poor taste".
A spokesman said: "The emails were unacceptable but do not reflect the attitude of police officers as a whole."
Reader views (5)
There were many evidences about some Finnish doctors and state workers fooled the police and local authorities to harass and threaten victims in London and Norway. His brother burnt and the ring and bracelet stolen by the policemen in Finland.
- Lu Hong Phat, Oslo Norway
Sgt. David Bold should be sacked. He has encouraged officers to apply for overtime and suggests they don't have to do any work in return...they can read a book or study for an exam. With attitudes like this in the force, how can they expect respect from the public?
- Ab, London
the police force in this country are an absolute disgrace,nothing but glorified debt collectors with no clue about anything else other than their own agendas and paypackets.what a joke
- Ray, ayr scotland
The e-mails " . . do not reflect the attitude of police officers as a whole . . " Oh yes they do.
- Exmetseniorofficer, London
"The emails were unacceptable but do not reflect the attitude of police officers as a whole."
Any evidence for that? I think most people would believe that these e-mails were not uncommon and they are a graphic demonstration of the culture within the Thames Valley police. Next question, are all police forces in the UK similar?
- Chuck Unsworth, London
